Texas A&M University (TAMU) HIST105 History of the United States Practice Exam

The principal authors of the Federalist Papers were Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. These essays were written in the late 18th century to promote the ratification of the United States Constitution.

Hamilton was particularly influential, as he wrote the majority of the essays and used them to argue for a strong central government. Madison, who is often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution," contributed significantly to the papers by addressing concerns about the potential for government overreach and the importance of checks and balances. John Jay wrote several of the essays as well, addressing the necessity of unity among the states and focusing on foreign affairs.

The collective work of these three men aimed to inform and persuade the public regarding the benefits of the proposed Constitution and to counter the arguments of those who opposed it. Their contributions were instrumental in shaping political thought in the United States and remain an important primary source for understanding the intentions of the Founding Fathers regarding governance.